Matthew focuses on elder law, estate planning, and related practice areas. He began his career in the field of trusts and estates, and expanded into elder and probate law. He quickly realized that he enjoyed the personal nature of working in estate and elder law, and chose to continue by opening his own firm. He is passionate about taking care of his clients, and treats each of them as if they were family. Matthew was admitted to the California bar in 2006 and has practiced law in Contra Costa Country since 2006. He earned his J.D. at...

Konstantine "Kosta" Demiris is a partner at the law firm of Demiris & Moore, located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, in the center of Contra Costa County. His practice focuses on litigation involving elder abuse (financial and physical), will and trust litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, HOA's, and appeals. Kosta is actively involved in the Contra Costa County legal community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Elder Law Section. He serves as court-appointed counsel in Conservatorship cases in Contra Costa County. Kosta is dedicated to helping...

Ms. Benedetto has assisted hundreds of clients with the creation of their Wills, Living Trusts and other estate planning documents. She assists families with trust administration and probate procedures when loved ones pass away, and also prepares legal documents for conservatorships of elderly clients and limited conservatorships for developmentally disabled adults. In 2006, Ms. Benedetto created the Family Trust Law Center, later incorporated to Family TLC, Inc., to be a firm where families come for professional estate planning by licensed attorneys, at flat, reasonable fees. Amendment of documents and other hourly work is done as...

After working for ten years at The Jellins Group, APLC, a general practice law firm, I moved to Contra Costa County and decided to start my own law practice. My primary practice area is estate planning, probate and trust administration and litigation. However, I also work in the related area of real estate and landlord-tenant law. I received my J.D. from McGeorge School of Law in 2002, graduating Dean’s Honor Roll. San Francisco State University conferred a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Creative Arts in 1998 following my completion of a course focusing on audio-video and multi-media production and design. ...

As an attorney, Matthew Grech began his career as a civil litigator. From there Mr. Grech transitioned into estate planning and probate & estate administration. As an estate planning/administration attorney Mr. Grech has assisted numerous clients manage trust and estate administrations from inception to closing, as well as guiding and facilitating the planning process. It was during this time that Mr. Grech realized that a number of his clients’ family members and friends were facing mounting financial troubles in the wake of The Great Recession. It was this realization that motivated Mr. Grech to begin practicing bankruptcy law, which...

Zachary Rayo brings experience, efficiency and empathy to estate planning. Mr. Rayo’s approach is people-centered. He recognizes that the legal needs and special issues differ from client to client, that each person is unique, with unique needs that must be met with efficiency, active listening and care. Mr. Rayo knows the importance of social responsibility which manifests not only in ethical decisions and practices but also in involvement in socially important causes.

The Law Offices of Daniel Leahy provides personalized service for all of your Estate Planning, Business Law, and Family Law needs.
My clients are individuals, couples, and professionals who want to protect their families, their businesses, and their beneficiaries. I treat all of my clients with courtesy and integrity and strive to provide realistic advice that achieves results.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns, your information is always kept confidential and I encourage you to feel as comfortable as possible with your legal matter.

Accomplished Trusts and Estates Attorney. Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Selected to Northern California SuperLawyers. For more than thirty-two years, Michael Freedman has been lead trial lawyer in more than thirty state and federal jury and bench trials involving trusts and estates law, business law, tort law, labor and employment law, professional malpractice, insurance bad faith, and environmental law. Michael Freedman has built a solid reputation as an experienced, skilled and dedicated practitioner. He has consistently upheld this high standard of service. Michael Freedman...

The Law Offices of Christine R. MacDonald was founded by Christine MacDonald in 2016 to provide affordable access to legal representation for Bay Area residents. Christine MacDonald graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law in May 2015 and was admitted to the California State Bar in December 2015. The Law Offices of Christine R. MacDonald provides representation in family law matters, including guardianships and other probate matters, as well as juvenile cases and criminal record expungement. As a former social worker, Christine prides herself in providing compassionate legal services to those in crisis, with an emphasis on...

I represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11.
In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

Ivette M. Santaella is a dedicated attorney with invaluable experience in the many areas of estate planning and technology law. For the past four years, she has focused her practice on estate planning and has advised numerous families-as well as businesses-on legacy and business succession planning. Ms. Santaella also assists her clients through the analysis of strategies to minimize tax liability, as well as trust management and creditor protection. She is certified and financially trained in life and long-term care insurance, and the various types of special needs issues, which are integral in estate planning. Ms. Santaella is expanding her...

Steven M. Simrin has over 12 years experience as both a Bay Area tax attorney and a certified public accountant counseling and representing clients in the areas of tax, probate, trusts, and conservatorships. He represents clients before the IRS and all California state and local tax agencies. Mr. Simrin litigates cases in state and federal court throughout California. Prior to opening his solo law practice, Mr. Simrin was with the tax group of a major international accounting firm.

Hannah Sargent received her undergraduate degree from University of California Los Angeles and graduated from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in school, she spent time clerking for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Jose. She is a former military officer, company commander, two-time Iraq war veteran and decorated AH-64D Apache Helicopter pilot. She is currently the principal attorney at Sargent Law Office, where she practices litigation, business and commercial law, and estate planning, and she lives in Castro Valley with her family. Between her time working and being with her family, she enjoys...

Founded by Mark Malachowski, the Law Office of Malachowski and Associates provides legal services to clients in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. Our office recognizes that lives and fortunes hang in the balance when a client seeks our services, so we strive to work closely with you to develop an individually designed action plan to achieve your goals. Mr. Malachowski has a wide breadth of education and experience apart from his Juris Doctorate in Law and his legal counsel and litigation work for businesses, investors and individuals. With his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Science...

I have worked in a dozen fields of law over my career of 44 years. Mostly I was a business trial lawyer, but now I only advise and handle transactions: no trials. I am semiretired but come to the office most days.

John Erik Fraker is the chair of the Charitable Planning & Philanthropy Practice Group for Ainer & Fraker, LLP. Specializing in high net-worth estate planning, philanthropy, and asset protection, John excels at providing sophisticated financial solutions and advanced charitable techniques that help individuals reduce taxes, provide a lasting legacy, and strengthen the familyâs core identity.
Prior to co-founding Ainer & Fraker, LLP in 2002, John handled the investment and insurance needs of high net worth families as a fee-only financial planner in the affluent Brentwood Santa Monica area of Los Angeles. Additionally, he worked as Business Development Officer for the...

Michael Blacksburg started practicing law in downtown San Francisco in 2001, but he felt most connected to cases involving local small businesses, families, and individuals rather than large corporations. He wanted to offer affordable, friendly, and service-oriented legal counsel to those groups, so he opened his practice in a warm and inviting converted-Victorian in the centrally located Castro neighborhood.
Michael is a rare find in today’s legal world: a knowledgeable generalist who can be your family lawyer and your business lawyer. While possessing extensive experience in business law, he has a personal passion for estate planning. A decade ago, he was...

Michael E. Lonich is the managing partner of Lonich & Patton and has nearly 30 years of experience representing a wide range of businesses and individuals. His practice concentrates on Estate Planning, Business Law and divorce mediation. Mike draws upon his expertise and the firm's resources to partner with individuals and families to develop comprehensive estate plans and successfully represent clients in trust administration and probate litigation. From the creation of a simple will to a complex trust, family limited liability partnership or business succession plan, maximizing financial benefits as well as ensuring the peace of mind that an estate...

Probate Lawyers in Nearby Counties

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Here are just a few situations where you might want to seek the advice of an attorney:

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